Detachable coil release system and handle assembly

Abstract

A medical implant deployment system for placing an implant at a preselected site comprising a deployment system that includes a mechanical coupling assembly at the distal end of a delivery member that engages the proximal end of the implant and a release member having an extended configuration in which the release member cooperatively maintains the coupling assembly engagement with the implant proximal end and a retracted configuration where the release member allows the coupling assembly to disengage from the implant proximal end. An attachable handle assembly is provided to place the release member in the retracted configuration allowing the coupling assembly to disengage from the implant proximal end, thereby releasing the implant.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical implant deployment system for use in placing an implant at a preselected site within a vessel or lumen comprising:
 a flexible catheter having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough, 
 an elongated flexible delivery member having proximal and distal regions and a lumen extending therethrough, said delivery member being positioned within the lumen of said catheter, 
 a medical implant having proximal and distal ends and a coupling member positioned at said implant proximal end, said coupling member including an engagement portion and an aperture disposed through said engagement portion, said implant being positioned within the lumen of said catheter and said implant being releasably coupled to said delivery member, 
 a delivery member distal assembly positioned at the distal region of said delivery member including a tubular housing member having proximal and distal regions, proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough, wherein the proximal end of said tubular housing member is fixedly coupled to said delivery member, a resilient engagement member having proximal and distal ends and a tip member positioned at said engagement member distal end wherein the distal end of said engagement member extends distal to the distal region of said tubular housing member and is positioned within said coupling member aperture, and said tip member engages said engagement portion of said coupling member, 
 wherein said distal end of said tubular housing member of said delivery member and said proximal end of said coupling member of said medical implant are positioned in an end-to-end abutting relationship, and 
 an elongate release member having proximal and distal ends and being positioned within the lumen of said delivery member, said release member having a first configuration wherein the distal end of said release member is positioned within said coupling member aperture adjacent said engagement member and in cooperation with said engagement member restricts the uncoupling of said coupling member from said engagement member and a second configuration wherein the distal end of said release member allows the uncoupling of said coupling member from said engagement member, said release member being in said first configuration and being operable between said first and second configurations. 
 
     
     
       2. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 1  wherein the aperture of said coupling member is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said delivery member. 
     
     
       3. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 1  wherein said implant is an occlusion device. 
     
     
       4. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 1  wherein said release member distal end is positioned proximal to said tip member in said first configuration. 
     
     
       5. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 1  wherein said release member distal end is positioned distal to said tip member in said first configuration. 
     
     
       6. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 1  wherein said release member distal end includes a taper. 
     
     
       7. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 1  wherein said release member proximal end includes a resilient spring member having proximal and distal ends wherein said spring member proximal end is coupled to said release member proximal end and the distal end of said spring member is coupled to the proximal region of said delivery member. 
     
     
       8. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 7  wherein said spring member has a first configuration that applies a force directed distally to the proximal end of said release member and a second configuration that applies a force directed proximally on the proximal end of said release member, said spring member being movable from said first configuration to said second configuration by moving said spring member proximally relative to said delivery member. 
     
     
       9. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 1  wherein said tubular housing member has a first length when said release member is in said first configuration and said tip member engages said engagement portion of said coupling member such that said housing member distal region is positioned proximal to said tip member and a second length when said release member is in said second configuration wherein said second length is greater than said first length. 
     
     
       10. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 9  wherein said tubular housing member distal region does not extend distal to said tip member of said engagement member when said release member is in said second configuration. 
     
     
       11. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 9  wherein said tubular housing member distal region extends distal to said tip member of said engagement member when said release member is in said second configuration. 
     
     
       12. An embolic coil delivery device for use in placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel or lumen comprising:
 an elongated flexible tubular delivery member having proximal, intermediate and distal regions, 
 a delivery assembly coupled to the distal region of said delivery member including a tubular housing member having proximal and distal regions and a lumen extending therethrough, a resilient engagement member having proximal and distal ends and a tip member fixedly coupled to said engagement member distal end, wherein the proximal end is fixedly coupled to said delivery member and the distal end of said engagement member extends distal to the distal region of said tubular housing member, 
 an elongate embolic coil having proximal and distal ends and a coupling member positioned at said coil proximal end, said coupling member including an engagement portion and an aperture disposed through said engagement portion, said embolic coil being positioned distal to and releasably coupled to said delivery assembly wherein the distal end of said engagement member is positioned within said coupling member aperture and said tip member engages said engagement portion, 
 wherein said distal end of said tubular housing member of said delivery member and said proximal end of said coupling member of said embolic coil are positioned in an end-to-end abutting relationship, and 
 a release member coupled to said delivery member having proximal and distal ends wherein the proximal end of said release member is positioned adjacent the proximal region of said delivery member and the distal end of said release member is positioned adjacent said delivery assembly distal region, said release member having a first configuration wherein the distal end of said release member is positioned within said coupling member aperture adjacent said engagement member and in cooperation with said engagement member restricts the uncoupling of said coupling member from said engagement member and a second configuration wherein the distal end of said release member allows the uncoupling of said coupling member from said engagement member, said release member being in said first configuration and being operable between said first and second configurations. 
 
     
     
       13. An embolic coil delivery device according to  claim 12  wherein the aperture of said coupling member is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said delivery member. 
     
     
       14. An embolic coil delivery device according to  claim 12  wherein said embolic coil includes a stretch resistant member. 
     
     
       15. An embolic coil delivery device according to  claim 12  wherein said release member distal end is positioned proximal to said tip member in said first configuration. 
     
     
       16. An embolic coil delivery device according to  claim 12  wherein said release member distal end is positioned distal to said tip member in said first configuration. 
     
     
       17. An embolic coil delivery device according to  claim 12  wherein said release member distal end includes a taper. 
     
     
       18. An embolic coil delivery device according to  claim 12  wherein said release member proximal end includes a resilient spring member having proximal and distal ends wherein said spring member proximal end is coupled to said release member proximal end and the distal end of said spring member is coupled to the proximal region of said delivery member. 
     
     
       19. An embolic coil delivery device according to  claim 18  wherein said spring member has a first configuration that applies a force directed distally to the proximal end of said release member and a second configuration that applies a force directed proximally on the proximal end of said release member, said spring member being movable from said first configuration to said second configuration by moving said spring member proximally relative to said delivery member. 
     
     
       20. An embolic coil deployment system for use in placing a coil at a preselected site within a vessel or lumen comprising:
 a flexible catheter having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough, 
 an elongated flexible delivery member having proximal and distal regions and a lumen extending therethrough, said delivery member being positioned within the lumen of said catheter, 
 an embolic coil having proximal and distal ends and a coupling member positioned at said coil proximal end, said coupling member including an engagement portion and an aperture disposed through said engagement portion, said coil being positioned within the lumen of said catheter and said coil being releasably coupled to said delivery member, 
 a delivery member distal assembly positioned at the distal region of said delivery member including a tubular housing member having proximal and distal regions, proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough, wherein the proximal end of said tubular housing member is fixedly coupled to said delivery member, a resilient engagement member having proximal and distal ends and a tip member positioned at said engagement member distal end wherein the distal end of said engagement member extends distal to the distal region of said tubular housing member and is positioned within said coupling member aperture, and said tip member engages said engagement portion of said coupling member, 
 wherein said distal end of said tubular housing member of said delivery member and said proximal end of said coupling member of said embolic coil are positioned in an end-to-end abutting relationship, and 
 an elongate release member having proximal and distal ends and being positioned within the lumen of said delivery member, said release member having a first configuration wherein the distal end of said release member is positioned within said coupling member aperture adjacent said engagement member and in cooperation with said engagement member restricts the uncoupling of said coupling member from said engagement member and a second configuration wherein the distal end of said release member allows the uncoupling of said coupling member from said engagement member, said release member being in said first configuration and being operable between said first and second configurations. 
 
     
     
       21. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 20  wherein the aperture of said coupling member is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of said delivery member. 
     
     
       22. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 20  wherein said embolic coil includes a stretch resistant member. 
     
     
       23. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 20  wherein said release member distal end is positioned proximal to said tip member in said first configuration. 
     
     
       24. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 20  wherein said release member distal end is positioned distal to said tip member in said first configuration. 
     
     
       25. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 20  wherein said release member distal end includes a taper. 
     
     
       26. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 20  wherein said release member proximal end includes a resilient spring member having proximal and distal ends wherein said spring member proximal end is coupled to said release member proximal end and the distal end of said spring member is coupled to the proximal region of said delivery member. 
     
     
       27. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 26  wherein said spring member has a first configuration that applies a force directed distally to the proximal end of said release member and a second configuration that applies a force directed proximally on the proximal end of said release member, said spring member being movable from said first configuration to said second configuration by moving said spring member proximally relative to said delivery member. 
     
     
       28. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 20  wherein said tubular housing member has a first length when said release member is in said first configuration and said tip member engages said engagement portion of said coupling member such that said housing member distal region is positioned proximal to said tip member and a second length when said release member is in said second configuration wherein said second length is greater than said first length. 
     
     
       29. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 28  wherein said tubular housing member distal region does not extend distal to said tip member of said engagement member when said release member is in said second configuration. 
     
     
       30. An embolic coil deployment system according to  claim 28  wherein said tubular housing member distal region extends distal to said tip member of said engagement member when said release member is in said second configuration. 
     
     
       31. A medical implant deployment system for use in placing an implant at a preselected site within a vessel or lumen comprising:
 a flexible catheter having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough, 
 an elongated flexible delivery member having proximal and distal regions and a lumen extending therethrough, said delivery member being positioned within the lumen of said catheter, 
 an implant having proximal and distal ends and a coupling member fixedly positioned at said implant proximal end, said coupling member including an aperture and an engagement portion, said implant being positioned within the lumen of said catheter and said implant being releasably coupled to said delivery member, 
 a delivery member distal assembly positioned at the distal region of said delivery member including a tubular housing member having proximal and distal regions and a lumen extending therethrough, wherein the proximal region of said tubular housing member is fixedly coupled to said delivery member, a resilient engagement member having proximal and distal ends and a tip member positioned at said engagement member distal end wherein the distal end of said engagement member extends distal to the distal region of said tubular housing member and is positioned within said coupling member aperture, and said tip member engages said engagement portion of said coupling member, 
 an elongate release member having proximal and distal ends and being positioned within the lumen of said delivery member, said release member having a first configuration wherein the distal end of said release member is positioned within said coupling member aperture adjacent said engagement member and in cooperation with said engagement member restricts the uncoupling of said coupling member from said engagement member and a second configuration wherein the distal end of said release member allows the uncoupling of said coupling member from said engagement member, said release member being in said first configuration and being operable between said first and second configurations, and 
 an attachable handle assembly comprising a housing body having first and second ends, a housing lumen extending between said first and second ends and a housing channel positioned between said first and second ends that intersects said housing lumen, and a plunger assembly having a top portion fixedly attached to an elongate shaft member, said shaft member having a shaft lumen and said shaft member being slidably positioned within said housing channel, 
 said handle assembly having a first configuration adapted to receive the proximal region of said delivery member wherein the position of said shaft lumen and said housing lumen are substantially coaxial and a second configuration wherein the position of said shaft lumen and said housing lumen are substantially offset, said handle assembly being operable between said first and second configuration, such that when said handle assembly is in said first configuration and said proximal region of said delivery member is positioned within said housing lumen and extending through said shaft lumen, operating said handle assembly from said first configuration to said second configuration causes said release member to move from its first configuration to its second configuration. 
 
     
     
       32. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 31  wherein said implant is an embolic coil. 
     
     
       33. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 32  wherein said housing channel and said housing lumen are substantially perpendicular. 
     
     
       34. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 32  wherein said shaft member includes a centering tab that engages with said housing body when said handle assembly is in said first configuration. 
     
     
       35. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 32  wherein said housing body includes first and second contours. 
     
     
       36. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 32  wherein said housing body includes a housing lumen taper adjacent said first end. 
     
     
       37. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 32  wherein said housing body includes a housing lumen taper adjacent said second end. 
     
     
       38. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 32  wherein said release member proximal end includes a resilient spring member having proximal and distal ends wherein said spring member proximal end is coupled to said release member proximal end and the distal end of said spring member is coupled to the proximal region of said delivery member. 
     
     
       39. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 31  wherein said housing channel and said housing lumen are substantially perpendicular. 
     
     
       40. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 31  wherein said shaft member includes a centering tab that engages with said housing body when said handle assembly is in said first configuration. 
     
     
       41. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 31  wherein said housing body includes first and second contours. 
     
     
       42. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 31  wherein said housing body includes a housing lumen taper adjacent said first end. 
     
     
       43. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 31  wherein said housing body includes a housing lumen taper adjacent said second end. 
     
     
       44. A medical implant deployment system according to  claim 31  wherein said release member proximal end includes a resilient spring member having proximal and distal ends wherein said spring member proximal end is coupled to said release member proximal end and the distal end of said spring member is coupled to the proximal region of said delivery member.